Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women

Symptoms of ADHD in adults women can be harder to recognize than men due to the fact that women typically develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, says Dr. Frank. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help improve their functioning and improve their quality of life.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have six symptoms from the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive subtypes lasting more than six months. These symptoms include:

1. Attention

Symptoms of ADHD for women who are adults typically are characterized by difficulty in keeping the time, missing appointments, misplacing items or being easily distracted. Women may also have issues with procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as working or studying in an environment that is noisy or busy. Women often struggle with interpersonal skills. They may interrupt others or make comments that they regret later.

Women who suffer from ADHD are better at hiding symptoms than boys and males. They may develop healthy coping strategies, such as relying upon a daily schedule and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important occasions. However, these coping strategies aren't sustainable in the long run and are not enough to cope with the demands of real life. In addition, their symptoms could be exacerbated by co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression.

Many people suffering from ADHD exhibit hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms too. Adults may experience subtler symptoms that only affect specific areas of their lives like social interactions or at work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty to relax or settle down. They may also struggle to establish and keep friendships.

People who suffer from mild or moderate ADHD do not have significant problems in their jobs or relationships, but they struggle to stay well-organized and have a tough time following through on their commitments. They may face issues with schoolwork, finances or household chores, and often feel a sense of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities they have to fulfill. The severity of the symptoms can cause major disturbances in a person's everyday life. They may also experience difficulties maintaining relationships or holding their job.

2. Hyperactivity

Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time organizing their work, home and personal items. They also tend to lose track of important things such as their glasses, wallets, and keys. They also are prone to losing their temper and getting distracted by extraneous thoughts and activities. Their difficulty getting their tasks completed and following instructions also affects their academic performance as well as their work performance and relationships.

Women cover up their symptoms by through their emotions to justify their actions. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat. For example women may feel low self-esteem or anxiety as an explanation for her forgetfulness and inattention. It is also possible to blame relationship issues or somatic complaints--like headaches and nausea--on the stress of life or hormonal fluctuations (e.g. menopausal symptoms, perimenopausal symptoms or menopausal).

If not treated, ADHD can lead to serious issues. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be more likely to engage in sexual adolescence due to their impulsivity, difficulties with boundaries between people and lack of organization. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs is more frequent. Their lack of attention can result in missing appointments with doctors and procedures. They may have disordered eating habits or an elevated BMI. They might also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, such as shopping excessively or nail-biting, as well as skin picking.

A thorough evaluation by a health care professional or mental health professional is the most effective method of diagnosing ADHD. In addition, to examine the patient's physical and emotional well-being, the doctor may solicit feedback from family members and friends. They may recommend diagnostic tests or an interview. Having a diagnosis can be a life-changing event for those who discover they've had an illness of the mind throughout their lives.

3. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more trouble controlling their impulses than men, and this can cause problems such as self-injury, alcohol or substance abuse, and other mental health issues. This can cause issues in relationships, as inattention and impulsive behavior could lead to misunderstandings or conflicts with family members, friends, and co-workers.

The signs of impulsivity are scribbling things out, buying something at the spur of the moment and then rushing into it without considering the consequences. Remember that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean that you're a bad person. Some people need more time to think before they act. However, it's recommended to speak with your doctor about this and to get tested for ADHD particularly when you notice that these symptoms are getting more severe.

Women with ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions. This can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to identify in women because they can be similar to other health issues, such as chronic headaches and insomnia. Women with ADHD find it hard to seek help since they believe that their symptoms are indicative of low self-esteem or a personality flaw.

It is crucial to realize that gender and sex are different concepts, and that the biological traits that determine if you're a man, woman or a nonbinary individual don't alter your personal identity. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender. This can cause people to feel embarrassed and desperation. These feelings can be further exacerbated by the stress of living with untreated ADHD which can cause a lack of support from a professional or personal perspective.

4. Distractions

As girls with ADHD become women, they can have difficulties handling adult responsibility. This can lead to problems at school or at work, and tensions with family friends, as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD may also have trouble managing their finances or home. They could be prone to neglecting health issues like regular checkups and exercising. They may also have difficulty to deal with negative emotions such as anxiety and depression.

ADHD symptoms in women can include being unable to remember things, losing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulty working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. There are also mood-related symptoms such as low self-confidence or poor self-esteem.

It's crucial for women to be aware of their symptoms of ADHD and get an assessment. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults Links to an external site. 's also beneficial to talk to an expert in mental health about their issues and devise strategies for coping with ADHD. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies can help change negative thinking patterns and improve coping skills. Participating in a women's group could provide valuable information about living with ADHD, and coping techniques for everyday life.

It is important to recognize that women who suffer from ADHD might experience different symptoms from men. These symptoms can change during transitional times like puberty or pregnancy. They may also change during hormonal treatments during menopausal. This is partly due to hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a greater hippocampal area, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than men. This makes it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis. It is possible to live an enjoyable and fulfilling life with ADHD despite these difficulties.

5. Anxiety

While it can be challenging for women suffering from ADHD to admit that they have trouble with anxiety, getting a diagnosis and finding the right treatment for them can make their lives much better. It can also assist women to understand their behavior and how it impacts others.


Anxiety can be a major indicator of ADHD in adults women and can manifest as:

Distraction, such as daydreaming or appearing distracted. Making careless errors. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Finding it difficult to concentrate in school or work. Forgetting things or being late for meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of people around you or feeling pressured at home or work. Trouble falling asleep. Being easily agitated or overly sensitive to rejection and criticism.

Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from a co-existing mood disorder, like depression. They might also have difficulty to establish friendships. They may also have problems with intimate relationships, which can result in a higher rate of intimate partner violence and a higher rate of alcohol abuse.

Girls and women may be unable to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms are different from those of boys and men. Health care professionals must be aware of these differences to make an accurate diagnosis. This means identifying certain traits, such a more distinct symptom-profile, difficulty in social interactions and a tendency to use ways to cope with issues with performance or underachievement, and also the coexistence between depression and anxiety. It is also important to consider the impact that a woman's hormonal levels affect her symptoms.